Now the news can be told. We are excited to announce that we have received a $1.5 million Prop 84 grant for Sutter's Landing Park!! FORB, in partnership with Friends of Sutter's Landing (FOSL) and the City of Sacramento, worked to get the money for habitat restoration along the river, extending the bike path (which will eventually go to CSU), and creating an aesthetic gateway to the river near the parking lot. A restroom will also be added to the built area above the river.
We got this grant thanks to all of you--your caring and enthusiasm for this stretch of the American River made the selection committee take note of our treasure here.
FORB is committed to protecting the riparian habitat at Sutter's Landing, and enhancing and increasing it wherever possible. We will continue to work with the City to ensure that the natural values are a priority for any improvements done to the area.
There will be many volunteer opportunities to participate in the restoration work under the grant. FORB plans to take the lead on this and we'll keep you posted as we develop the volunteer program.
You are invited to the press conference and celebration on Wednesday, November 28, at 10 am at the Cal EPA Building, 1001 I Street (note that the event was moved from Sutter's Landing due to the possibility of rain). For more information see the two press releases below.
Laurie
Release: November 26, 2012
Grant for Sutter’s Landing Park
City expected to receive $1.5 million to extend trail, restore river front habitat and improve gateway to American River Parkway
The City is anticipating a nearly $1.5 million grant to be awarded this week by the California Natural Resources Agency. The money will be used to improve Sutter’s Landing Park – a gateway to one of the most important contiguous habitat and recreation open spaces in the region and state, which attracts millions of visitors annually.
The award ceremony is set for Wednesday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. at the Cal EPA Building on I Street. Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby and Councilmember Steve Cohn will accept the grant on behalf of the City.
The City is hosting the agency’s award ceremony, at which Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird will announce the Sutter’s Landing grant along with 32 other statewide recipients. Competition was intensive among 133 applicants vying for 33 awards totaling $34 million in Proposition 84 funds. Sacramento was likely chosen because of the site’s historical significance and the wide community support for one of the City’s most valuable amenities.
"This Prop 84 Grant will help us take Sutter's Landing Park to the next level. What was once the City's forgotten landfill is quickly becoming Midtown's gateway to the American River Parkway,” said Councilmember Steve Cohn. “We were successful landing this grant because the community spoke with one voice on the need to restore the natural river habitat at this unique location."
About the Sutter’s Landing Park Project
Specifically, the money will be used to extend the multi-use Two Rivers Trail three-quarters of one mile from the Park east to the Union Pacific mainline tracks next to the Business 80 highway. (Currently, the City’s Two Rivers Trail starts at Tiscornia Park and ends at State Route 160, a total of two miles.) At the end of the trail, there will be a turnaround loop with interpretive panels and seating. The City expects a future phase will connect the trail from the railroad tracks to CSU-Sacramento.
The funds will also restore over three acres on the banks of the American River with native plants. Entry enhancements will define the site as a recreation destination by making the entry to the river trail welcoming and by emphasizing the river connection.
The construction schedule has yet to be confirmed, but the project is expected to be finished by fall of 2017.
For Immediate Release: Media Contact:
Clark Blanchard, (916) 651-7585; [email protected]
CALIFORNIA NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY ANNOUNCES $34 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR CALIFORNIA’S RIVER PARKWAYS
Awards Ceremony Planned for Wednesday, Nov. 28 in Sacramento
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Natural Resources Agency today announced over $34 million in funding for 33 proposed river parkway projects statewide. These projects will create recreation opportunities for families, restore fish and wildlife habitat, provide flood management, and enhance California’s river parkways.
“Our river parkway grants help communities connect children with nature, promote public health by providing families with greater outdoor recreational opportunities, and protect the rivers that provide us with clean water,” said Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird. “The river parkways program is a great example of local agencies working together with the state to create increasingly sustainable communities in California.”
The city of Sacramento was awarded nearly $1.5 million to develop and enhance a section of the American River Parkway at Sutter’s Landing Park. This project will create a three-quarter mile multi-use trail, restore more than three acres on the banks of the American River with native understory vegetation, and provide interpretive signage. The project will serve as an historic gateway to the 31.5-mile American River Parkway, which sees about eight million visitor days per year.
The Natural Resources Agency also announced grant awards for 32 other river parkway projects that will benefit communities throughout the state. The grants will be used to acquire, restore, protect and develop areas along rivers, streams and creeks to conserve natural resources and improve public access. In total, the grants will fund more than 31 miles of trails and more than 7,500 acres of wildlife habitat restoration and land acquisition.
An award ceremony for all 33 projects is planned for Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 10:00 a.m. at the Byron Sher Auditorium in the Cal/EPA Building in downtown Sacramento.
In 2006, California voters passed Proposition 84, the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act, which authorized the Legislature to appropriate funds to benefit river parkway projects.
The California River Parkways Program, a competitive grant program administered by the secretary for natural resources, awards funds to public agencies and non-profit organizations to develop river parkways in their communities.
All proposed projects awarded funding must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Funding for proposed project implementation is contingent upon satisfactory evidence of compliance with CEQA. To be approved by lead agency decision makers, the proposed projects may change as a result of the CEQA process. However, any changes to the proposed projects must continue to meet all the objectives of the River Parkways Program and be consistent with the intent cited in the original applications.
Media Event Information:
WHAT: Announcement of $34 million in River Parkway Program grant awards benefitting 33 river parkways throughout California.
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Cal/EPA Building
Byron Sher Auditorium
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95812
Paid parking is available across the street from the Cal/EPA building. Enter from 10th or 11th street.
WHO: John Laird, California Secretary for Natural Resources
Angelique Ashby, Vice Mayor, City of Sacramento
Steve Cohn, Sacramento City Council – District 3
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